Cheltenham – Ultima Handicap Chase: Soft ground stayer a serious contender

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL fanatic The Voice Of Value (@TheVoiceOfValue) analyses the field for the Ultimae Handicap Chase, the third race of Day 1's action.

2:50 Cheltenham | Ultima Handicap Chase | ITV1

I had my eye on Snow Falcon for this race but he hasn’t been declared so presumably goes for one of the other races he is entered for later in the week.

Gold Present (11/1 BetBright) is a really obvious one near the top of the market along with Coo Star Sivola (5/1 BetBright).

Gold Present beat Frodon back in December and hasn’t been seen since and if there was likely to be good to soft ground on Tuesday, I think he would be my clear pick.

It looks like it could be on the heavier side of soft though and with top weight over this distance, I think he will struggle. All of his good form has been on good to soft or good ground.

Coo Star Sivola, by contrast, looks to have a strong chance on the likely soft ground but his price is just a touch short for me now.

The one that I like is the Venetia Williams-trained Yala Enki (14/1 BetBright) who absolutely bolted up at Haydock last time out in the mud.

He will definitely stay this trip, will love the soft ground and is a bigger price than horses like O O Seven (18/1 Unibet) and Singlefarmpayment (7/1 BetBright) who aren’t certain to stay or to like the ground.

I can see Yala Enki out running his current odds and finishing better than anything else up the hill.

Best Bets

2.50 Cheltenham | Ultima Handicap Chase – Yala Enki (14/1 each-way BetBright)

About Author

'The Voice of Value’ column is written by Paul Gallagher who is an amateur tipster with a love for racing and jumps racing in particular. He caught the bug at an early age when his grandfather had a share in a winning chaser and his annual Grand National and Cheltenham guides have been well received over the last few years. Paul also enjoys the flat racing and football.

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